AMBLER — On the very last day of school at Mattison Avenue Elementary School June 20, students and staff stood before a large crowd of parents and community members on the school’s front lawn and sang the song “I Believe I Can Fly” before opening boxes of butterflies and letting them spread their wings and fly away.

To an outsider, this would seem like a joyous event and the start of summer fun, but to many in the Ambler community, this particular last day has been one of the most dreaded last days in recent memory.

In January, the Wissahickon School Board voted to close Mattison Avenue after this school year before voting to split students between Lower Gwynedd Elementary School and Shady Grove Elementary School next year.

For many Ambler community members, the two decisions have been tough to stomach, making this last day a difficult one. With that said, most people in attendance tried to put the best spin on the situation as they could before they said goodbye to the school and let students spread their wings and fly away.

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Borough Manager Mary Aversa said the community at Mattison Avenue is strong enough to endure the difficult day and keep moving forward.

“It’s a wonderful family,” she said. “It truly is the center of the community. We suffered a great loss today, but we’ll keep going.”

Frank DeRuosi, Ambler mayoral candidate, called the school’s closing a “sad day for Ambler.”

“Mattison Avenue has been an anchor in the community for a long time,” he said. “We will move on as a community with strength and hope.”

For the Mattison Avenue staff, today was the start of new beginnings.

Mattison Avenue Principal Concetta Lupo wrote in a handout that while every year students are excited about the prospects of summer, this year’s end of school carries more weight.

“While the children are still excited about their summer, everyone is a bit more emotional this year as it is the final closing of Mattison Avenue,” she wrote. “Children are excited about going to a new school in September and are eager to make new friends. The staff members are looking forward to their new positions in the district and are energized to meet new coworkers and learn their new jobs.

“Even as all of the children and staff are hopeful and confident for their upcoming academic year, everyone is a bit forlorn about Mattison Avenue Elementary School closing. The building has been a wonderful ‘second home’ for all of the students, their families and the staff members. We have all loved being a part of this amazing school community. Every staff member knows ever child’s name, background, strengths, needs and interests. Truly, Mattison Avenue has been so much more than a community; we have been a family.”

She went on to say students have felt love, support and encouragement from faculty and staff members.

Lenell Robinson, the school’s custodian, known affectionately as Mr. Lenny, called it a “very emotional day.”

“I’m very said to see it closing and I’m excited for my future,” he said. “I’ve accepted we’ll be closing and I have to move on.”

For many Mattison Avenue parents, the day was an emotional one, with tissues being handed out at the third-grade “graduation” ceremony.

Parent Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier said the school’s closing was “heartbreaking.”

“Every home and school president in the last 15 years is here,” she said. “Borough council is here. This is a huge loss for the community. This is the thing has ever done.”

Parent Amy Joyce focused on the proceedings at the event rather than the loss to the community.

“It was all done very well,” she said. “It was a great sendoff.”

Parent Karen Palmer said to an outsider, the day’s proceedings may appear a bit strange, but it meant a lot to the community.

“This is the kind of thing that only happens in the movies,” she said. “This is such a cool day. People from outside the community wouldn’t understand it.”

“Hodding Carter, Jr. once said, ‘There are two things we should give our children: one is roots and the other is wings,’” Lupo wrote. “Mattison Avenue Elementary School has given you roots. Now it is time for Mattison Avenue and the Wissahickon School District to give you wings. Shady Grove and Lower Gwynedd are excellent schools. Children, you will go to your new, incredible school next year. You will learn so much at your new schools, you will be remarkable and successful in your new school next year and your future. Good luck!”